Scavenger Dash obstacle races, mud run, and OCR information, distance, cost, dates, calendar, discounts, obstacles, reviews, and more

Overview Part adventure race, part scavenger hunt and a whole lotta fun!, Nationwide USA
Launched 2009
Events (23) 2012, (30+) 2013
Upcoming See all upcoming events at the bottom of the page.
Kids No
Age 12+
Distance wo person teams are given an envelope containing a list of twelve clues. Upon solving them, teams head out to checkpoints around town completing challenges, riddles, and puzzles while laughing all the way to the finish line. Average distance is around 5-8 foot miles, however, participants are allowed to use public transportation, which includes city buses and trains. In some cities, for example Chicago, the overall course distance can be over 12 miles.

Terrain Varies by location, races could start in a park, on city streets or at an establishment.
Gear Wear whatever you'd typically wear for a day out roaming the streets. Some Comfy running/walking shoes will make your day more fun. Matching outfits are encouraged, or better yet, wear some cool costumes for a chance to win a prize!


Scavenger Races are all about fun, and 95% of the participants are here for exactly that. Some actually sign up thinking it's a bar crawl – which it's not – but the fact that it often starts and finishes in a bar lends to that understanding.

Scavenger Dash was launched in 2009 by Rick Eastman, the founder of Sierra Adventure Sports who also put on the Mad Mud Run

In the early 2000's, Rick signed up and participated in a now-defunct race called Urban Challenge which was essentially billed as an adventure race in a city. The adventure intrigued him enough that he began putting on adventure races of his own in 2003, launched Mad Mud Run in 2007, and he turned his attention to creating a similar type of “scavenger-hunt race” of his own – and Scavenger Dash was born.

Scavenger Dash made it's 5 city tour debut in Omaha, NE and was a hit; in the following two years we expanded to approximately twenty five cities across the US. As evidenced the exponential growth of obstacle races and mud runs, it was becoming increasingly obvious that people wanted to participate in more than just a typical 5k, they wanted adventure, mental challenges and puzzle-solving mixed in with their exercise.

At the beginning of the race, each two-person team is given an envelope that contains twelve clues they need to solve. This clue sheet also serves as their passport; complete the clues, then venture to the checkpoints indicated by each of the answers, and follow the instructions they will find there.

At some points teams complete a challenge, at others take a picture, and some receive a stamp for on their passport. All challenges are completable by nearly anyone and teams also have the option of skipping one of the twelve clues – strategy will play a big role in which to skip. Teams may also have a mandatory clue, which will be indicated on the clue sheet.

Teams have many ways to solve clues: Asking strangers, the library, a smartphone, they can even carry a laptop – if one of the teammates does not mind hauling it around. The most important resource a team can have is a great “Pit Crew” as your phone-a-friend. Calling someone at home who has web access can make a huge difference in solving clues.

Races may contain one or more Detours, which is a choice between two challenges. Teams can choose the one they think will be fastest – or the most fun.

One big advantage that many teams fail to overlook is forming alliances. Just like on the TV show Survivor, teams may form alliances with other teams, if only to solve the clues. The faster teams are able solve the clues, the faster they can complete the course.


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Previous Scavenger Dash Events

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  • Race discount More info
  • August 21, 2016
    Colorado Springs Colorado Scavenger Dash 2016
    Jack Quinn Irish Alehouse and Pub, Colorado Springs, CO, United States
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  • August 20, 2016
    Denver Colorado Scavenger Dash 2016
    Blake Street Tavern, Denver, CO, United States
      Learn More
  • June 19, 2016
    Kansas City Missouri Scavenger Dash 2016
    Johnny’s Tavern, Kansas City, MO, United States
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  • June 18, 2016
    Omaha Nebraska Scavenger Dash 2016
    Buffalo Wild Wings Omaha, Omaha, NE, United States
      Learn More
  • January 23, 2016
    Phoenix Arizona Scavenger Dash 2016
    Dos Gringos, Scottsdale, AZ, United States
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  • December 12, 2015
    Phoenix Arizona Scavenger Dash Blitz 2015
    TGI Friday’s Front Row, Phoenix, AZ, United States
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  • November 14, 2015
    Las Vegas Nevada Scavenger Dash 2015
    Stripburger, Las Vegas, NV, United States
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  • November 08, 2015
    Tucson Arizona Scavenger Dash 2015
    The Hut, Tucson, AZ, United States
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  • November 07, 2015
    Phoenix Arizona Scavenger Dash at Night 2015
    Macayo’s Depot Cantina, Tempe, AZ, United States
      Learn More
  • September 27, 2015
    Reno Nevada Scavenger Dash 2015
    Our Bar, Reno, NV, United States
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  • September 26, 2015
    Sacramento California Scavenger Dash 2015
    River City Saloon, Sacramento, CA, United States
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  • August 23, 2015
    Colorado Springs Colorado Scavenger Dash 2015
    Jack Quinn Irish Alehouse and Pub, Colorado Springs, CO, United States
      Learn More
  • August 22, 2015
    Denver Colorado Scavenger Dash 2015
    Blake Street Tavern, Denver, CO, United States
      Learn More
  • August 01, 2015
    Flagstaff Arizona Scavenger Dash Blitz 2015
    Collins Irish Pub, Flagstaff, AZ, United States
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  • June 21, 2015
    Kansas City Missouri Scavenger Dash 2015
    The Foundry, Kansas City, MO, United States
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  • June 20, 2015
    Omaha Nebraska Scavenger Dash 2015
    Crescent Moon Ale House, Omaha, NE, United States
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  • June 13, 2015
    Chicago Illinois Scavenger Dash 2015
    Citizen Bar, Chicago, IL, United States
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  • November 09, 2013
    Las Vegas Nevada Scavenger Dash 2013
    Stripburger, Las Vegas, NV, United States
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  • November 03, 2013
    Tucson Arizona Scavenger Dash 2013
    The Hut, Tucson, AZ, United States
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  • November 02, 2013
    Phoenix Arizona Night Scavenger Dash 2013
    TBA Old Town Scottsdale, Scottsdale, AZ, United States
      Learn More
  • September 15, 2013
    Portland Oregon Scavenger Dash 2013
    Ringlers, Portland, OR, United States
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  • September 14, 2013
    Seattle Washington Scavenger Dash 2013
    Fuel, Seattle, WA, United States
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  • September 08, 2013
    San Francisco California Scavenger Dash 2013
    The Chieftain, San Francisco, CA, United States
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  • September 07, 2013
    Sacramento California Scavenger Dash 2013
    Pizza Rock, Sacramento, CA, United States
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  • August 25, 2013
    Colorado Springs Colorado Scavenger Dash 2013
    Jack Quinn Irish Alehouse and Pub, Colorado Springs, CO, United States
      Learn More
  • August 24, 2013
    Denver Colorado Scavenger Dash 2013
    Blake Street Tavern, Denver, CO, United States
      Learn More
  • July 21, 2013
    Kansas City Missouri Scavenger Dash 2013
    The Foundry, Kansas City, MO, United States
      Learn More
  • July 20, 2013
    Omaha Nebraska Scavenger Dash 2013
    The Old Mattress Factory Bar & Grill, Omaha, NE, United States
      Learn More
  • June 09, 2013
    Milwaukee Wisconsin Scavenger Dash 2013
    Catch 22, Milwaukee, WI, United States
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  • June 08, 2013
    Chicago Illinois Scavenger Dash 2013
    The Snuggery, Chicago, IL, United States
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  • April 21, 2013
    New York City New York Scavenger Dash 2013
    sideBAR (at Union Square), New York, NY, United States
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  • April 20, 2013
    Boston Massachusetts Scavenger Dash 2013
    Battery Park Bar & Lounge, Boston, MA, United States
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  • April 14, 2013
    Philadelphia Pennsylvania Scavenger Dash 2013
    McGillin’s Olde Ale House, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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  • April 13, 2013
    Washington DC Scavenger Dash 2013
    Union Pub, Washington, DC, United States
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  • November 10, 2012
    Las Vegas Scavenger Dash 2012
    Stripburger, Las Vegas, NV, United States
      Learn More
  • November 04, 2012
    Tucson Scavenger Dash 2012
    TBA Tucscon AZ, Tuscon, AZ, United States
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  • November 03, 2012
    Phoenix Night Scavenger Dash 2012
    TBA Phoenix AZ, Phoenix, AZ, United States
      Learn More
  • September 16, 2012
    Portland Scavenger Dash 2012
    Ringlers, Portland, OR, United States
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  • September 15, 2012
    Seattle Scavenger Dash 2012
    Fuel, Seattle, WA, United States
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  • September 08, 2012
    San Francisco Scavenger Dash 2012
    The Chieftain, San Francisco, CA, United States
      Learn More

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Scavenger Dash Reviews from the Community

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Scavenger Dash Boston 2013 Review

Apr 26, 2013 by Muddy Warthog

The Scavenger Dash rolled into Boston recently and we decided to give it a shot. Since we have completed various scavenger hunts throughout the city last year, we were feeling confident about our chances. Being promoted as a wildly fun urban adventure, Scavenger Dash involves teams of two solving clues, scavenging items, taking photos and completing fun challenges. Two person teams are given a sheet of twelve clues. Upon solving 11 out of 12 of them, the teams head out to different checkpoints throughout the city. All teams are restricted to either traveling by foot or public transit only.

Unfortunately, the scavenger hunt was scheduled for April 20, 2013, which was only five days after the Boston Marathon terrorist attack. After discussing whether or not to even participate in the event, we eventually decided to do it. The morning started out rainy but cleared up in the early afternoon. We hopped on the subway and headed to Aquarium station. A short walk later, we arrived at the start/finish line located at Battery Park Bar & Lounge. We signed in, got our number and was given a crayon to be used during the hunt. We spent the next half hour sizing up the competition and strategizing until we were summoned out front for the start.

The race official had announced that a few teams had decided to transfer to future events and about half of the other teams had not shown up. I would estimate that there were between 10-15 teams remaining to compete. The official then read a clue to everyone that would direct us to the location of our clue sheet. Once the clue was read, we were given a minute to solve it and were sent on our way. We thought we knew the answer from a previous scavenger hunt but we were wrong! When we finally located the correct location, almost all the other teams had already received their clue sheets and were working on the answers. Since we were a few minutes behind, we knew we had to get moving. We spent about 15-20 minutes solving the clues and planning our attack. After formulating a route on our map, we were off and running!

The only public transportation we used was a subway trip from the waterfront area to the Boston Common. The rest of the time, we ran to the clues. I would estimate we ran between 5-8 miles total. The answers were spread throughout the city, including the Frog Pond at the Boston Common, a penguin statue at the Aquarium, a large mural near the waterfront and the Hard Rock Cafe at Faneuil Hall. We also had to return with a pair of chopsticks that we picked up at PF Changs while running through Chinatown. There were also two physical and mental challenges that had to be completed. The first one involved making an origami shirt out of a dollar bill. The other challenge was a bit trickier. We were blindfolded and instructed to work together to tie a bow around a tree. However, in order to accomplish this, we were only allowed to use one hand each. Miraculously, we were able to tie the bow in our first attempt. The final clue led us to the Christopher Columbus statue. We were instructed to use the crayon supplied to us at the beginning to make a rubbing on the back of the clue sheet of the last name of one of Columbus' captains.

Picture
Once we confirmed that we had completed all of the checkpoints, we raced back to the start. We returned in under two hours and were feeling confident. When we entered the bar, the official seemed surprised that we were back so quickly (obviously a good sign!) After reviewing our answers, we were told that we were the first team finished. We won!! We were given our Scavenger Dash T-shirts and dog tags for participating in the event. Also, for winning the scavenger hunt, we received free into a future event and an additional first place set of dog tags. We enjoyed a few beers to celebrate our victory and then headed home. It was a perfect Boston afternoon to spend racing through the city. The event was well organized and the clues were quite challenging. We will definitely be back to defend our title next year!


The Ultimate Mud Run, Obstacle Race and Adventure Race Guide , USA 4.0 4.0 1 1 The Scavenger Dash rolled into Boston recently and we decided to give it a shot. Since we have completed various scavenger hunts throughout the city last year, we were feeling conf